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Figment Preview – A Charming Musical-Adventure Guided By Nightmares

September 1, 2017September 9, 2017 by Chris Wheatley, posted in Previews

Figment is an inspiring adventure title taking players into the depths of the mind. The developers, Bedtime Digital Games, crafted a story inside of the surreal world of the mind, filled to the brim with witty and often adult humour, a rich, authentic story and gorgeous hand-drawn graphics set to an awe-inspiring musical score too charming not to dive headfirst into. After a couple of hours with the preview of the upcoming indie musical game, Figment is shaping up to be a mechanically sound adventure-platformer with its own bold musical setting and unique spin on the genre.

Playing as the dry and carefree protagonist – Dusty – you’ll traverse the mysterious realm of a troubled mind, all the while bickering with your winged side-kick, Piper. Exploring the environments and worlds that seem to be ripped straight out of a un-released Pixar film, Figment places musically delightful bosses throughout the game, taunting Dusty as you progress through the levels. Catchy and mischievously villainous songs ring about as you dodge and slash your way to defeat the devilish representations and embodiment of nightmares.

*Dusty and Piper gearing up for their adventure.*

Figment’s graphics are presented in beautiful isometric style camera angle, with a unique hand-drawn art style and some of the most surreal locations I’ve seen to date. With charming puzzles and mechanisms to solve as you venture further into the depths, the gripping and intriguing narration lies atop the gameplay in Figment, comfortably polished and fluid.

The combat takes a page from a number of hack-n-slash titles. Smooth and slower-paced than most of the hit arcade games that are released today, Figment shows the player the importance of patience and strategy when dealing with nightmarish enemies. Boss enemies were each unique and performed song-and-dance numbers during the fight which always left a catchy tune with me while playing. Requiring specific strategy to persevere, each enemy found throughout my playtime – though there were few – proved different and casually challenging in their own distinct way.

figment2 — *Many puzzles are scattered throughout Figment like turning windmills to clear poisonous fog.*

But the combat is not the main focus of Figment, as there are many puzzles and riddles to solve that are scattered throughout the levels – many of which are centred around musical themes, such as pressing correct keys on an organ or finding and placing valve buttons on a trumpet to unlock further areas. Other various puzzles include tasks like unlocking pathways by swapping and placing items, finding synapse batteries to operate specific objects in each level, discovering hidden memories and of course, fending off nightmarish evils along the way.

*Shifting gears, turning valve wheels and flicking switches all have unique outcomes.*

Figment is gearing up to be a puzzling title brimming with dreadful enemies, surreal and imaginative levels, intricate puzzles shaping the world around you, an all-too captivating musical score while backed with clever and humorously dry dialogue. The themes in Figment showcase a troubled and disturbed mind but not without adding a much more bearable approach than what it suggests. Taking the player through nightmares we all face and replicating them in obscure and fiendish worlds, one way or another Figment is looking to shine a light on the dreadful topics and trauma of a distressed mind.

We can expect to see Figment this September coming to PC, Mac, Xbox One, PS4 and also recently announced, the Switch.

SpaceBOUND Review – Puzzle Platforming So Frustrating It’s Addictive (PC)

August 22, 2017August 22, 2017 by Chris Wheatley, posted in Reviews

Platformers and puzzle games draw a line not met by many other genres in the video game world. Both requiring precise and strategic thoughts and movements, while each provides a casual approach to the entertainment of gaming. The debut release from Gravity Whale Games, SpaceBOUND, gives new meaning to the term puzzle/platformer.

Players take control of two astronauts who have crash landed on an asteroid in the middle of deep space. Attached by a tether, both astronauts may be controlled separately by one player, or individually in cooperative mode. The idea is to navigate through an abandoned facility rigged with destructive lasers, electrical wires, various key buttons and other harmful and dangerous traps throughout the game. Unlocking gates, keeping both astronauts alive as you float about in zero gravity with your jetpacks, the tether is crucial for the tremendously challenging puzzles that lay ahead.

If choosing to play solo, each astronaut is controlled separately using either the keyboard or more preferably, a gamepad. The arrow keys will control one astronaut, while the W, A, S, D keys control the other. In terms of the gamepad, both analogue sticks make a much more efficient method of guiding your astronaut buddies to safety. The catch of SpaceBOUND is the tether linking the two together.

Floating around, bouncing towards and away from each other proves extremely difficult when trying to avoid the shifting lasers and dangerous saw blades. When you inevitably meet your end to the scorching burn of one of the mines’ many lasers or death traps, your astronaut(s) burst into a splattered bloodshed of frustrations and regret; leaving you to restart the relatively short, but tedious level from the beginning. Say both of your comrades just barely survived the beam that nearly singed your space suits into ash, if your tether breaks it’s back to the start of the level.

Though the tether line proves to be a minor liability and an extreme risk for ending your current run, it also acts as a strategic tool for throwing asteroid chunks, and even yourselves across the screen in a much more energetic manner. Catching rocks and then throwing them through a variety of lasers and obstacle, breaking down electrical lines guarding your way out and most notable pressing the button required to unlock the next area give players a true sense of accomplishment once the task has safely been completed.

With the short level length and a trial-and-error approach to puzzle solving, re-trying numerous areas throughout the campaign becomes more and more common, testing the player’s patience and platforming skills. The dual movements of the astronauts become second nature as you experiment with various methods of manoeuvring in sync with one another.

Through dozens of levels full of traps and hurdles, an even more excruciating Time Trial mode and relentless mind-numbing puzzles for solo or co-op play, SpaceBOUND is the answer for 2D, zero-gravity platforming with a bemusing and often frustrating gameplay and level design. The tenacious gameplay and clever use of guiding two characters at once across a drifting minefield of death traps prove not for the faint of heart but requires players to act quickly and precisely, while using patience and your surroundings to accomplish uniquely difficult challenges in SpaceBOUND.

The Escapists 2 Preview

August 14, 2017September 8, 2017 by Tanya Laolapha Pettersen, posted in Previews

Time to break out of jail again! The release of the popular rule-breaking game, The Escapists 2, is right around the corner, so here’s our sneak peek of what to expect.

Two years ago, Team 17 released a prison simulator game that would become popular amongst anybody who loves strategy games. The deal is to – as the title of the game would indicate – escape prison. As an inmate, you are challenged with different prisons with various difficulties and you have to be creative as you desperately make your way to freedom.

The first thing you notice about the game is the change in its art style; I am thoroughly surprised by the visuals. The new style looks amazing and is a definite improvement from the first. The graphics make the characters’ movement seem really smooth, with nice attention to detail in there – from the way the characters walk, to the way the hair bounces on their head. The style makes the game feel a bit more immersive, and it’s very enjoyable. I also want to make note of the soundtrack, which is very satisfying to my ears!

In the preview version of the game, the tutorial is called “Precinct 17”, where we play a short story about an escaped convict telling a man about his great escape. We learn the gameplay as we go along with the story and are given access to two of the game’s prisons: Centre Perks 2.0, a prison which is constructed in a very simple manner, leaving several loopholes for the prisoners. And Rattlesnake Springs which is a high-security prison that is built upon an unstable mine. So, uh, yeah. Good luck with that.

You are able to craft the items you need in a new and improved crafting system, escaping the multi-level prisons in more inventive ways. The game also offers multiplayer modes in split-screen, online co-op and versus. (That’s pretty neat!) They should make for some hilarious moments in the game…

What else is different? Well, you can now choose between a male or female inmate and changes to the combat system allow you to knock down fellow inmates and rob them of their stuff for your own convenience – however, beware! Unconscious inmates quickly get carried away to the hospital wing, so be quick about looting them. And whether you choose to enter the new hobby-system, which includes joining a band, learning to paint, all of which contributes to your great escape – is entirely up to you.

So, folks, this all seems very promising indeed. Look out for the release on the 20th August, and be ready to… erm… escape!

The Escapists 2 will be available on Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Steam for PC.

Danmaku Unlimited 3 Review – An Exciting Addition to Bullet Hell Shooters (iOS)

August 10, 2017August 10, 2017 by Chris Wheatley, posted in Reviews

Intense bullet hell shooters bring a much-needed adrenaline rush to the category of casual games. Doragon Entertainment has pushed the limit of how mobile style games generate addictive and thrilling experiences, by providing an arcade style shooter that leaves your heart pounding in an awe of gorgeous colours and visuals in, Danmaku Unlimited 3.

Piloting an agile spaceship, you’ll find yourself in the middle of a storm of bullets and projectiles fired from a fleet of opponents and enemy ships. High octane rock music fuels the adrenaline filled levels as you’ll desperately guide your ship back and forth through hordes of darting bullets laid out in spectacular designs, while delivering every ounce of destruction capable in your various streams of gunfire.

Through five different stages, the player uses a wave of bullets stretched across the game screen, as well as the option to switch to a sizable beam delivering an accurate source of damage on whoever sits in your way. Also found throughout the levels are bombs, where once obtained, you’ll be able to detonate a powerful explosion surrounding the area around the player’s spaceship. The bomb is a sure way to make quick work of the enemy ships zeroing in too close.

With the unique Spirit/Graze system, you’re able to counter attack your opponents by using the enemy projectiles to charge up your Trance Gauge. Flying too close to bullets, or grazing them, the Trance meter will start to fill. Once filled and engaged, your ship is charged with enhanced firepower, also destroying all ships in sight and turning them into valuable gems and points, to further increase your score.

Waiting at the end of each level are multi-phased boss ships capable of dealing mesmerizing bullet patterns, sometimes filling the screen with colourful explosions and fire-power. Quick lasers, a volley of torrential bullets and heavy-duty explosions are common in Danmaku Unlimited 3, so you’ll have to make good use of strategy and keen reflexes as you dip and dodge appropriately through the maze of bullets and projectiles.

A range of difficulty comes provided with Danmaku Unlimited 3, making sure players of all skill levels may adapt to the high-energy arcade title. Spirit Mode and Graze Mode separates the casual from the hardcore, creating an excellent balance of challenges for the long-time fans, or the newcomers who are getting acquainted with the unique style of play. Also included is a healthy dose of weapon combinations, changing the spread layout of your primary guns, the beam intensity or perhaps the number of beams fired from your ship. Unlocked in various ways throughout the game, these weapon combos give players enhanced action and battle tactics when pushing further into more challenging areas of the game.

In a flurry of bullets comes Doragon Entertainment‘s next arcade shooter in the acclaimed bullet hell series. With a scorching soundtrack, high-energy gameplay, tight controls and gorgeous visuals to back it all up, Danmaku Unlimited 3 delivers a fierce experience not typically found in the world of mobile gaming; one any dedicated mobile gamer can’t miss.

The Tavern Review – A Visual Novel/RPG Hybrid (PC)

August 7, 2017December 20, 2018 by Chris Wheatley, posted in Reviews

Selective dialogue and story driven games have been gaining ground since the rise of the indie game market. It’s no surprise to learn that game developers Moral Anxiety Studios continue this trend with The Tavern. What we see here is a thrilling tale solely based around your actions and responses in dialogue. Clinging to the slim hope of survival, The Tavern delivers an eerie story where the threat of defeat lurks around every corner.

Starting the game, you’re placed in control of a lone mercenary by the name of Nalia. Determined to support your family, you venture off for work in the dangerous lands around you. Adopting the retro semi-isometric style of early RPGs, The Tavern plays and explores just as any adventure title would, but where it differs is the action portion of the game.

TheTavern_Screenshot_01 — There’s lots to discover.

No button mashing, gun-toting or spell wielding action awaits you in this story driven title. The visual novel style is similar to the popular Telltale games: you’ll be given a list of dialogue options for each major interaction, where every response or action could have minor, or major consequences, sometimes even ending the game. Luckily, you can save when you want, making easy work of dishing out the appropriate solutions with dialogue options. Multiple endings are available throughout the game too, leaving the decision to either continue further into the dark journey or, for whatever reason, to end it early. That’s up to you…

Interaction is a key feature of the game. Focusing on its RPG side, Nalia can interact and explore her surroundings, revealing sometimes important notes and additions to her journal. Other times useful items or friendly lore may be found, adding to the depth of exploration displayed in the grim adventure title.

TheTavern_Screenshot_05 — A tough choice?

The Tavern is relatively short in terms of today’s modern gaming era though, clocking in at around an hour for my first playthrough, and the second in just over 2 hours, after what was deemed an “appropriate” ending. The deep characters and story give you plenty of reason to make multiple playthroughs and encounter new scenarios and endings each time you play. Tough choices make up most of the game’s difficult moments, so taking the time to re-live gripping moments and discovering different outcomes proves to be a rather satisfying feature.

A lone tavern shrouded in mystery, filled with enigmatic characters in the depths of a dark land amidst a war, The Tavern places itself among few others in the adventure category of video games. Thrill and excitement surface from rich text and story, deep and personal relationships, as well as the fear of losing it all before every decisive action. A truly unique experience as an average mercenary looking to save her family, The Tavern is filled with enough grit for story enthusiasts to indulge in. Familiar and easy ‘selective dialogue’ gameplay, a fantastically grim soundtrack echoing throughout your journey and intriguing decisions along every step of the way make for a welcome break from the everyday norm we see in mainstream games today.

Arcade shoot ’em up Danmaku Unlimited 3 available on Steam, releasing on mobile and Switch in August

August 1, 2017September 8, 2017 by Chris Wheatley, posted in Previews

One man indie studio, Doragon Entertainment, is set to release its third instalment of the bullet hell shooter series, Danmaku Unlimited 3, on mobile devices this August, as well as the Switch later in the year. The all new action shoot em’ up title will bring yet another high-intensity experience, packed with plenty of new and satisfying features to the App Store and Google Play.

Battling through the skies, risking it all to save the future of humanity against staggering odds, Danmaku Unlimited 3 looks to deliver a classic taste of retro arcade shooters combined with a bold and modern Japanese style edge to the bullet hell genre. Blast your way through 5 hand-crafted stages, equipped with up to 25 different furious weapon combinations to shred through your enemies. Along with a rocking Japanese indie soundtrack set to the high-paced action, DU3 will give players a true sense of immersion.

Along with the variety of weapon combinations, you’ll be using the unique Spirit/Graze battle system, granting you the ability to use enemy attacks to your advantage throughout the game. This skill looks to come in handy throughout the action-packed levels. Capping off levels with high adrenaline boss battles, each shifting through multiple phases, will add even more to this exciting combative shoot ’em up experience.

You can find Danmaku Unlimited 3 via Steam for PC available now for $9.99, and on Google Play and the App Store on August 10th – at a limited sale price of $4.99. A Nintendo Switch version will also arrive later this year.

Icy: Frostbite Editon is coming to Steam on August 11th

July 31, 2017July 31, 2017 by Nitchigamer, posted in Posts

ICY: Frostbite Edition – a mix of narrative-driven, survival, and RPG gameplay, set in a post-apocalyptic frozen world, is coming to Steam.

The game is a mature story of survival with complex layers of morality, allowing you to influence the plot with your choices. There’s also a character creation feature with 9 different skills to choose from and a combat system offering classic turn-based gameplay.

Nathan Piperno at InnerVoid said:

“The strong interest and feedback we received on the original ICY encouraged us to explore what we could improve to make a fresh and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

“We recognized the shortcomings and flaws of the original version and have spent the last twelve months rebuilding the game from scratch with enhanced UI and functionality, a new combat system with tactical depth, a node-based travel system, improved hunting and scavenging, and a robust crafting system.”

ICY: Frostbite Edition will be available on Steam on August 11th for $12.99. Here’s the trailer for the game:

Tyd wag vir Niemand (Time Waits for Nobody) Review (PC)

July 26, 2017August 10, 2017 by Chris Wheatley, posted in Reviews

Puzzle platformers are most commonly played with the side view, run and jump gameplay mechanics left behind from the early ages of the video game legacy. South African game developers, Skobbejak Games, gives gamers a chance to dive into the genre with the less common first-person approach to a surreal, puzzle platforming adventure, Tyd wag vir Niemand, or as translated into English from the original Afrikaans language – Time Waits for Nobody.

Receiving a message from an unspecified agency, you’re instructed to find and rescue the long-lost science team located somewhere in the frozen tundra of Antarctica. Upon arrival of the massive machine you’re sent to discover, the scientists are nowhere to be found, as the overall feeling of desolation sets in. The radio signal between you and HQ becomes non-existent, and now you’re left inside of this strange machine you know nothing about, equipped with an unusual device with unimagined powers.

After being transported to a world where physics and time don’t apply to the everyday norm, you find yourself in the midst of uncovering the ability to slow down time drastically in favour of your need and want to escape this paranormal world. The only way that seems viable is to endure the timeless world and make your way through the turbulent and puzzling unknown.

The gameplay of Tyd wag vir Niemand is simple and vague but leaves a biting feeling of rewarding frustrations amidst dream-like level designs. Simple puzzles quickly turn into confusions based off the appropriately vague level descriptions. When thrust into an unknowing world, one is left without the most important tips to succeed; the same goes for the world of Niemand.

As the game’s story progresses, specific information becomes known in the vaguely familiar worlds. The project to restore Earth to its original form – before the great catastrophe – is centred in the real world outside of this mysterious dimension, but somehow this world and the one you know are connected. These dimensions serve as personal and distinct memories from your character’s past. What they have to do with restoring the Earth is another mystery that lies in the depths of Niemand.

Whether platforms are rising up and down, shifting side to side, rotating in circular motions, rolling frantically, rapidly shifting pipes to walk across or focusing your camera precisely on target for a designated time period, the ability to slow time around you is the key element to passing through these puzzled worlds. Some pose simple, obvious solutions, while some levels require a lot of thought, patience, as well as plenty of trial and error to solve this meticulous paradox.

The sounds of Tyd wag vir Niemand are minimal, but what you do hear provides the necessary ingredients for an immersive playthrough. With a frantic score plucking away at every nerve, the game does a great job of directing the player and placing a driving sense of urgency as time is slowed. A specific amount of seconds is set when you slow time, acknowledged by a slow chiming “tick” which increases in speed, in turn signalling the ability is soon to deactivate. Guided by the sounds and songs of the game, the player is sure to feel a true sense of exploration, thought and tranquillity along the path of the mysterious dimensions.

A unique puzzle platforming experience set in an interesting and mysterious world provides Tyd wag vir Niemand with an authentic and original game design. Frustrating gameplay mechanics are soon easily adapted to and the curiosity of what this world is and why you were transported here keep your attention throughout the short indie game. Skobbejak Games delivers an astounding experience filled with head-scratching puzzles and mechanics, within a surreal world for gamers to enjoy and explore in Tyd wag vir Niemand.

Next Day: Survival launches on Steam – in war there are no winners, only survivors

July 20, 2017July 20, 2017 by Sally Mettson, posted in Posts

Next Day launches on Steam today. It’s a survival game with RPG elements that allows you to develop your character’s skills, while interacting with the surrounding world, other players, and non-player characters.

Over the course of the game your character earns reputation, which gives them the chance to join various factions of survivors, each with their own features and limitations.

The action takes place in a fictional country within Eastern Europe, where a significant amount of it is contaminated with toxic fog – lovely!

You can watch the rather impressive trailer for the game here:

The Steam Summer Sale 2017 starts tomorrow – is your wallet ready?

June 21, 2017June 21, 2017 by Nitchigamer, posted in Posts

It’s that time of the year again. What? No, not that time. We’re talking about the Steam Summer Sale 2017, of course. Ask yourself: do you need more games? If the answer is “absolutely”, read on and get your wallet ready.

Takeaways:

The Steam ‘Summer Sale’ begins tomorrow – at 6pm if you’re in the UK
PayPal indicates the sale ends on the 5th July – which is around the time you would expect
Gamers who are also PayPal customers, which we imagine is quite a few, get an extra £5 off!

You can find the tweet that broke the news below. Yes that’s right, Twitter now makes the headlines. Will you be splashing your cash about, or do you have too many games already? Let us know in the comments below, if you please.

It’s official. The #SteamSummerSale starts 22/06 at 6pm BST and PayPal customers get an extra £5 off *terms apply. https://t.co/PdXnlKZ6qh pic.twitter.com/hobxCz3TBm

— PayPal UK (@PayPalUK) 20 June 2017

Review: Armed with Wings: Rearmed (PC)

June 12, 2017June 21, 2017 by Chris Wheatley, posted in Reviews

Armed with Wings: Rearmed is a flashy, fast-paced 2D hack em’ up/platformer game with a sleek, new approach to the genre. Previously released as a Flash Game in 2008, Rearmed slices its way onto Steam with this updated and addicting slasher. Playing as a lone samurai, the striking silhouette swiftly glides across the levels, slashing through the many enemies thrown in your direction. Equipped with your trusty blade harnessing the power of lightning and your faithful Eagle, you’ll embark on a furious journey to stop the evil tyrant’s – King Vandheer – overpowering authority.

Daniel Sun of Australian based animation studio, Sun Studios, has created a samurai adventure that adds extra value to the platforming genre. Entering the world of Blackmist, you run through short levels wiping out any opposing soldiers who will try to cut your blade-swinging life short. Coming across, (sometimes rather tedious), puzzles, your Eagle companion will lend a wing to fly to areas unreachable by man. Retrieving relics, scouting ahead or even acting as a useful distraction are all vital elements accompanied with your screeching ally.

Though many levels have you gracefully slashing your way through various enemies, other levels, later on in the story, are strictly platforming based. Calling on the Eagle to find and carry orb keys to unlock gates blocking your path, methodically using jump pads to clear dangerous hazards or completing a series of enemy waves coming from either direction, a solid dose of challenges keep your samurai journey feeling fresh all the way through.

The combat with your lonesome samurai warrior is fluid and swift, allowing easy button inputs to dodge and cut your way through surrounding enemies. Harnessing the power of thunder and lightning, you’re capable of dealing a charged strike downward, unloading a great deal of ravaging damage. The push of a button allows a ‘dance’-like skill to leap around your enemies, making you feel like a true, untouchable samurai warrior. This defensive mechanic is significantly helpful when dealing with tough soldiers/bosses further in the game. No jump action is present through most of the game – your player will automatically leap from ledge-to-ledge when running straight through – though additional skills may add this ability as you progress.

Tons of weapons become available to help aid you on your expedition, each with their own traits, and some even with exceptionally useful bonus skills, like health regeneration or the tactical advantage to ‘Jump’. There are all different kinds of blades from classic katanas to broad swords and hook swords; Rearmed gives plenty of variety and stats to base your combative decision on. Found throughout the game when dropped by fallen foes, you’ll also unlock more weapons with score points earned by collecting glowing bubbles (also used as health) and dealing with enemies in both Story and Survival modes.

In Survival Mode – like a few levels found in the campaign – waves of enemies spawn in timed fashion, leaving you alone to deal with them before they’re able to deal with you. Though, much tougher than the wave trials found in the main story, these survival waves offer a chance for more points, in turn giving you the ‘edge’ in combat later down the line. Everything from your standard grunt enemies to elites and even bigger boss-type monsters appear in Survival Mode, so being prepared with the best weapon load out proves useful when conquering the next fierce wave.

With dozens of unique weapons fused with unique skills and traits, two more bonus playable characters to unlock and an addictive style gameplay, Armed with Wings: Rearmed brings stylish 2D action to the lucrative platforming table. Short, to-the-point levels (some offering multiple ending points for enhanced replayability), Survival and various two-player modes like one-on-one weapon battles and tournaments, there’s a good helping of content to feed your samurai hunger.

A solid helping of hack ‘n’ slash vengeance mixed with unique puzzle solving mechanics, Armed with Wings: Rearmed brings beautiful carnage to the platforming genre.

Review copy provided by Sun-Studios.

Review: Old Man’s Journey (PC)

June 7, 2017June 21, 2017 by Tanya Laolapha Pettersen, posted in Reviews

Old Man’s Journey is a short and unique point-and-click adventure game from the independent game studio Broken Rules, based in Vienna, Austria. They have made a game about life experiences, and everything that entails – love, happiness, regret, and reconciliation.

We follow an old man who lives in a beautiful house out by the sea. The game starts off with him receiving a letter, with the content left to be revealed at the end. As he gathers his backpack and walking cane, we join the old man as he ventures out on a journey through land and sea.

There are 15 different levels, or scenarios, in the game. Upon finishing each one, the man sits down on a nearby bench and scratches his white beard, pondering and re-exploring his past. With each memory, we collect more and more pieces of the story.

The level design of the game should be given high praise. Each level represents a different memory in the old man’s life, telling us where he has been and where he might be going. This way, we slowly progress through the old man’s life experiences up to the present.

The environment plays a huge role in the aspect of gameplay. In order to help the old man on his journey, the player has to manipulate the terrain around him, which I think is quite unique. Each level contains puzzles where you have to twist your brain a little, but never so much that it hurts. It never gets too challenging. Many might see that as a negative, but I rather enjoyed sailing through without much difficulty in a game like this: it is, after all, an atmospheric casual game.

This game lives and breathes for the aesthetics. The memories look painted with watercolors, letting you experience art in a beautiful way – I feel like I’m walking through different paintings. With beautiful ambience such as the sounds of the ocean or the wind through the mountains, and simple yet gorgeous music with a present guitar and accordion, Old Man’s Journey provides a symphony for your eyes and ears. Putting on headphones and immersing yourself in the music and sounds when playing this is highly recommended. (THIS GAME IS GORGEOUS).

Amidst all the wonderfulness of the game, I encountered a few bugs where I had to restart some of the levels over again. This became all the more bothersome when I was right at the end of said levels. Along with a few graphic bugs as well, I felt that it broke up the flow of the game, which was fairly annoying when I’m in a meditative state of serenity.

I feel like I should also give a fair warning that Old Man’s Journey has little to no replay value. There’s no extra puzzles to solve, for example. When you figure out the ending to the story… it ends. Maybe that’s a message about life. Still, it would have been nice to have something else to do afterwards. That being said, the game is roughly 2-hours long, so it’s clear that the developers have created something to be played in one sitting, as there is no manual save function either.

Old Man’s Journey is a short and delicate game with a touching story. The music is simple, yet beautiful. Combined with an impressive art style and unique gameplay, Broken Rules has created a powerful piece of expression. I suggest you visit the Steam page while I dry my tears.

Back in Time

Tag: steam